State Medal - F-15

F-15 AIRPLANE
STATE MEDAL 5762/2002
2nd in the “Airplanes that Made History” Series
 

This series of medals commemorates the airplanes of the Israeli Air Force. Each one made its mark on the history of the country and is associated with its specific period of operation. The planes have been reproduced in precise detail on the medals, designed by Eliezer Weishoff, in consultation with the Public Committee headed by the former Commander of the Air Force, Major General Eitan Ben Eliahu.
The second medal in the series is dedicated to the F-15 Eagle 2.
The concept "air supremacy" obtained a new meaning when the McDonnel Douglas (now Boeing) F-15 "Eagle 2" entered the Israeli Air Force Service.
The F-15, or "Baz" (Falcon) as it called in Hebrew' the most advanced operational fighter plane in the world today is noted for its excellent speed, climbing ability, combined armament capability, and long range. The double tail fighter is designated to be the top level, first line fighter in the Israeli Air Force. Its foremost mission is to maintain air supremacy in the aerial battle arena.
Since entering the service on the December 10, 1976, the "Baz" participated in many aerial combat missions, shooting down dozens of enemy planes, including MIG 25s and others. Its first mission was in the "Litani Operation" in 1978, and first enemy fighters were shot down in July 1979 over Syria and Lebanon. The Air Force operates no less than five different models, including tandem seaters. In 1997 the advanced F-15l model, nicknamed "Ra'am" (thunder) entered the service, designed for long range attack in any weather, carrying sophisticated weapons.